The English We Speak

Intermediate level

Curry favour

Episode 180827
/ 27 Aug 2018

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Summary

Rob's spotted Feifei having lunch with the boss – what is she up to? He thinks she's after something and has a phrase to describe this – but what's it got to do with curry? Listen to The English We Speak and all will be clear.

Transcript

FeifeiHello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei…

Rob…and hello, I'm Rob. Erm, Feifei, why were you in the cafe with the boss earlier?

FeifeiWas I?

RobCome on. I saw you having lunch with the boss. Nobody ever has lunch with him.

FeifeiOK, I admit it. I was having lunch with the boss. What's wrong with that?

Rob Well, we all know there is a promotion in the department on offer – and you are obviously trying to curry favour with the boss so that you get the job. Honestly!

FeifeiHold on. I can assure you I was NOT having curry with the boss – it was just a sandwich.

RobFeifei, if you 'curry favour with someone' you are not eating curry. It means you are trying to get someone – the boss – to like you or even give you something. Something like a promotion.

FeifeiI was not! But I like the expression.

RobOK. Well, let's hear some examples of people currying favour with someone else…

ExamplesI know what you're up to! You're trying to curry favour with the manager by telling her what a great job she's doing!

The company tried to curry favour with its employees by giving them all a pay rise.

He's trying to get free tickets to the gig by currying favour with the tour manager – it won't work!

FeifeiThis is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we're talking about the phrase 'to curry favour (with someone)' which means 'to try and get someone to like you or give you something'.

RobAnother way of saying it is you are 'trying to keep in with' someone.

FeifeiIt's all a bit false, Rob, trying to make someone like you - which is why I was NOT trying to curry favour with the boss.

RobYou won't get the promotion anyway.

FeifeiWe were actually talking about you!

RobOh yes?

FeifeiHe wanted my advice on whether he should give the promotion to you.

RobTo me! Well, come on then, what did he say?

Feifei You'll need to curry favour with me, if you want to know that!

Rob How about dinner? I know a nice little curry house just round the corner.